Extracts of the Letters

of the late Mr. J. W. U.

A 4

[... ne]vermore over me; when I cry out, do not hear me. In short, I cannot express with the pen what kind of vows the soul made to her bride In this mystical tradition, the soul is often personified as a bridegroom seeking reunion with "Sophia" (Divine Wisdom), his heavenly bride., the likes of which a vile beggar or a swineherd should not even be able to make to a queen. See, in such a way the soul was sanctified, and thus went from one level or stair of humility to another; until the Process of Christ Proceß Christi A central concept in Böhmean mysticism where the believer must internally mirror the life, suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus. was completed in her, and her Great Mystery Mysterium magnum A term used by Jacob Böhme to describe the divine chaotic origin or "mother" of all beings; the potentiality from which all things are manifested. was graciously entrusted to her, and put on like a wedding priestly robe. For there is a very great danger with the soul, because in her root she leads to the abyss of hell, and can just as easily turn herself into a devil as into an angel: therefore I recognized GOD’S process, and willingly gave myself over into his chastisement, so that the soul might afterwards be safe from the devil. As has also happened to me out of GOD’S inexpressible grace in his light, putting the devil to shame—however much he stormed against the poor creature—where so many a brave spirit has been overcome by him.

2. Thus you see how the Process of Rebirth Wiedergeburt is fulfilled in us. Then GOD led us to the "Well of the Living One who sees me" A reference to Genesis 25:11 and the well Beer-lahai-roi, symbolizing divine providence and spiritual vision., and opened the eyes of our spirit, so that we came into the gift and acquaintance of dear Brother Gichtel Johann Georg Gichtel (1638–1710), a mystic who spread the teachings of Jacob Böhme and led a community of "Angelic Brethren." through GOD’S providence, and were thus grafted as a little branch into the Tree of Life Lebens-Baum, Christ: therein our soul has then come to rest, and become free from the anxious taskmaster, and all this time has heartily refreshed herself therein, as in the Tree of Life, Christ, and has no further seeking outside of herself, because she rests quite securely in the eternal Whole and All; although under very great